I quite liked this one. It’s been a while since I last read a thriller with such an unsettling vibe. I’ve read stories set in snowed-in chalets or remote forest cabins, but never one in a secluded retreat with a breathtaking view and ominous weather. The story is gripping and the buildup is engaging, making me eager to find out what the characters are hiding from one another.

One thing I didn’t enjoy as much was the frequent shifts in point of view and timeline. I felt it could have been organised a bit more smoothly. Still, it was an enjoyable read with some genuinely surprising twists!

I found this is to be an ok addition to the thriller genre. There was nothing new or gasp worthy but it was a entertaining read. The author followed a cookie cutter set of trope that were written well but not stellar. A perfectly ok popcorn thriller.

I was so hooked on this book for about 2/3 of the book. I thought the plot was unique. I started the book in a night and wanted to finish it all that night: Once I got the last third, I felt like I was getting confused on what was going on in the book. It was still a good read to me, but I wish it ended a little earlier than it did.

Thank you to Ms. Verant, the publisher, and Netgalley for the eARC!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. The story of Liv Montgomery traveling to a writers' retreat where she has to face not only accusations about her present but also memories come back to haunt her wasn't gripping for me. There were some deaths, though I felt too far removed from the characters for it to really strike any tension. The pacing seemed off-balanced with the ending coming very fast with very little lead up or explanation. And Liv being an unreliable narrator made the ending very frustrating for me.

The Writers' Retreat was such a great, fast read. I highly recommend. It's a perfect book to read by the pool or to get you out of a reading slump. The characters are interesting and multifaceted. The multiple POV and timelines were easy to follow. I devoured this book in 2 settings!

This is my first Samantha Verant book and it will NOT be my last. The Writers Retreat drew me in from the first chapter and I could not put it down. Her pacing is on point and her twists are impeccable. I loved the character even more as they were full of personality, detail, and relatable. I really enjoyed how this book is based upon an aspiring author, Liv, going to a retreat in hopes of having her own book published. The manipulation, suspense and thrills during the retreat are all I can think about. An absolute must read.

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc.

This is one complicated thriller. There are multiple timelines and multiple points of view. Very well thought out and captivating but definitely one you need to concentrate hard on. An intense read.

wtf did i just read?! my mind is blown. i was hooked from start to finish. the back and forth between past and present, plus the multiple viewpoints, kept me completely invested. kat totally gave me cheryl blossom vibes: dramatic, chaotic, and completely unforgettable. she simply cannot be outdone. i felt for liv most of the book, but when the truth finally came out? yeah.. the villain definitely took the win. the tenacity of both liv and kat was unreal. stubborn to the bone, just like me. this story made me wish i had that kind of sister/friend bond they talk about so much. although did it really work out in the end? overall, this one will be living rent free in my head for a long time.

The Writers' Retreat by Samantha Vïrant is a recommended thriller, for the right reader, which follows a group of unlikable characters.

Liv (Olivia) Montgomery is invited on an exclusive, week-long writing retreat at the Nyx resort in the Catskills. She knows the site as the former site of an infamous Nexus cult. Just before she leaves, she learns her former boyfriend was murdered and her former fiends are being questioned along with her current boyfriend, but she goes anyway. Once there, all the mean girls from her past along with her boyfriend also arrive. There are other random guests.

The narrative unfolds through dual timelines, past and present, and show the past and the current lives of the characters. This whole novel is entertaining with a sinister undercurrent, but it also has a pulpy, mean girls vibe. As more and more twists and surprise reveals occur, a huge dose of disbelief must be set aside. I was not able to muster that much acceptance of the events past the first several twists. Then the plot turns became a bit ridiculous, entertaining, but ludicrous.

It is fast moving, and grabbed my attention at the start. As the familiar plot continued, however, it quickly became clear that there are no trustworthy or likable characters, and everyone seemingly has endless wealth. It had a new adult feel too, as if written for a younger audience than me. The ending was preposterous.

The Writers' Retreat by Samantha Vïrant might be appreciated by new adult readers who appreciate a pulpy thriller with endless twists. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This book kept me hooked right from the beginning. I found the characters to be complex and well developed. I didn't see the twist coming either which was great. The ending left me satisfied. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This book was okay. The multiple pov and timelines were confusing at times. I usually love a good plot twist but I feel like there were too many twists in this book that made the story hard to follow.
3.5 stars

The Writers' Retreat by Samantha Vérant is a warm, uplifting, and emotionally layered novel that celebrates friendship, creativity, and the power of finding yourself again, one page (and one croissant) at a time.

Set against the dreamy backdrop of a picturesque writing retreat in the French countryside, the story follows a group of women brought together by their shared love of writing and the need to escape their everyday lives. What unfolds is more than just a retreat; it’s a soulful journey of healing, rediscovery, and the unexpected magic of letting your guard down.

Each woman brings her own baggage, heartbreak, and hidden dreams, and Vérant does a beautiful job weaving their stories together with compassion and wit. There’s laughter, vulnerability, scenic vineyards, and just the right touch of romance all wrapped in that irresistible "starting over in a new place" charm.

What kept this from being a full 5 stars for me was the pacing in a few spots, which felt slightly rushed or overly tidy, but the emotional payoff and sense of growth were absolutely worth it.

This book is for anyone who's ever needed a fresh start, a creative spark, or a reminder that it's never too late to follow your passion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. The Writers' Retreat is the kind of story that leaves you smiling and maybe even dreaming of your own getaway.

Liv Montgomery has been desperate to get her first book published and is invited on a writers' retreat she can barely afford, but all is not as it seems when unexpected people from her past start popping up and people very close to her start dying.

This book was unputdownable for me. It was not one of the best books I've ever read, but it had me hooked and I was able to burn through it in less than 24 hours. It was full of twists and turns, some I saw coming and some I did not. My one critique is that I found all of the characters incredibly unlikeable and flat. Most of the characters seemed to be the typical stereotype of a rich, NYC-born and raised young person, with few complex character traits.

I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a quick, entertaining, twisty read!

ARC Review
The Writers’ Retreat by Samantha Verant
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📅 Release Date: July 22, 2025

Murder. Inheritance. Accusation.
When Olivia Montgomery’s ex-boyfriend is found dead—and inexplicably leaves her everything—she finds herself at the center of a chilling investigation. But Olivia isn’t exactly the woman people believe she is. As secrets unravel and shadows creep closer, Olivia must navigate a deadly game of cat and mouse, uncovering a darker truth about herself and those around her. And trust me—nothing is what it seems.

Set against the haunting beauty of a secluded Catskills writer’s retreat, this slow-burn psychological thriller lures you in with its eerie charm and delivers twist after twist that will keep your heart pounding. As Olivia travels to the retreat with dreams of landing her next book deal, she quickly discovers that this gathering of writers holds far more secrets than stories—and not everyone will leave unscathed.

What truly sets this novel apart is how seamlessly it weaves together past and present timelines, allowing readers to peel back the layers of each character. This dual narrative adds emotional depth and suspense, especially as we see how the characters evolve (or unravel) over time. The pacing builds beautifully—from a steady simmer during the early character introductions to a full-blown boil once the retreat begins.

The cult subplot adds a sinister edge, perfectly complementing the isolated mountain setting. It gave the story a unique flavor that distinguished it from other retreat thrillers I’ve read, with some genuinely shocking turns I didn’t see coming.

While the “author retreat gone wrong” trope isn’t new, Samantha Verant breathes new life into it with fresh character dynamics, sharp tension, and a touch of madness. It’s not just another copy-and-paste thriller—it’s cleverly written, atmospheric, and surprisingly thought-provoking.

This is the kind of book that begs to be devoured in one sitting—perfect for fans of Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, or anyone who loves a tightly wound, female-led mystery packed with secrets, suspense, and just the right amount of chaos.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I found the reading of this book something of a chore tbh. Perhaps I’m not the appropriate demographic but I could not warm to any of the characters or even find anything likeable about any of them. The main 4 characters are rich kids who all went to an exclusive girls school and are supposedly friends.

Liv, the main narrator is an aspiring novelist and unexpectedly she is invited to a writer’s retreat being held in the remote but beautiful Catskills. Hardly believing her luck she accepts. But of course nothing is as it seems and everyone is duplicitous. We learn about the back stories of each character by chapter changes “now” and “then”. Each is a change of narrator but we can be sure they are not unreliable narrators.

Liv is conflicted, lacking in confidence, always feeling she is on the periphery of the group as she does not come from a super rich family, unlike Kat. Kat, it turns out is overbearing, manipulative and something of a narcissist. For some reason she seriously wants Liv to be her friend. Perhaps because she can dictate the terms of their friendship in what I would call a passive aggressive way. This is her way. So Liv, once room mates at Uni with Sienna, ups sticks from her tiny provincial apartment, to live with Kat in her luxurious city apartment. Apparently Sienna sees this as a betrayal of their friendship and is greatly upset.

Just as Liv is going to her writer’s retreat, her ex is murdered. Scared and filled with dread Liv arrives at the retreat. Turns out the retreat is owned by her now ex friend, Kat who bought up the site which was once occupied by a cult which did not end well. Murder and mayhem ensue.

I found the whole plot, the ins and outs of the womens’ friendships and relationships, their ‘betrayals’, all pretty shallow and overblown. The twist near the end I didn’t see coming so that was interesting but generally, the Mean Girls vibe was tiresome. (I very much enjoyed the film Mean Girls though!). As a plot it never seemed to hang together properly. The supposed tension and suspense never really came over to me as a reader.

I think, having seen other reviewers’ comments, I might be the only one who feels this way, so I hope I haven’t put people off reading it. Maybe I’m missing something but this is an honest response to my reading this story.

The offer to attend a writers retreat can be a dream for a new, or even a well established writer. However in the case of Liv, trying to write her debut novel, this retreat turns into a nightmare. Dangerous former friends, accusations, obsessions, blackmail and murder keep the tension high.This is the third book by Samantha Verant I have read and she is becoming one of my favorite psychological thriller writers. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC. I voluntarily read this book and this review is my personal opinion.

Seclusion, betrayal, and murder. The elements of a perfect crime novel. Now imagine if that group in isolation are writers. And a few of those people have a common event in the past -- but it's not the classic tale something bad happened to that group of people years ago or they lost a common friend.

Instead, it's a story of revenge. And twist after twist reveals the obsession that two women have with each other.

In The Writers' Retreat by Samantha Vérant, we follow the dual POVs of Liv Montgomery and Kat Sterling in the present and in the past.

To sum up the past, Liv encountered Kat during a mutual friend's (Sienna's) bachelorette party in Greece, where she was the Maid of Honor. (Sienna and Liv met while being roommates at Syracuse and become close as sisters.) Upon meeting Liv for the first time, Kat asks her to be her roommate in New York, free of charge. Liv decides to room with her, knowing that it would hurt Sienna.

At Sienna's wedding, Liv meets the Best Man, Steven Shepard, and the two instantly hit it off. However, Kat brings up that Steven used to date Sienna back in high school. This pushes Liv and Sienna further apart as Sienna accuses Liv of choosing Kat and Steven over her.

Much time later, Liv and Steven are engaged, and Kat throws them a celebration party, but the party ends when Liv sees Steven and Kat sleeping together. In a fit of rage, she goes off on both of them and leaves.

As for Kat, her past is a bit darker. She and Sienna were recruited into a cult called Nexus, where they were made to believe that they can become goddesses by following the cult leader, Tobias Rane's, rules. After threatening Kat and Sienna with releasing revealing photos from their initiation ceremony, Kat tells her parents. Her parents, powerful and wealthy, get the police involved and they are able to take down Tobias Rane.

In the present, both Kat and Liv are at this writer's retreat: Liv as an aspiring writer and Kat as the owner. The most bizarre aspect of this all: Kat now owns the very land where the cult used to be. With both of their dark pasts there, the two play a dangerous game of cat and mouse until something comes alight that threatens both of their past's secrets.

This book was filled with dramatic twists, but I constantly found myself predicting them before they were even revealed. While not disappointing, I think I would've loved the twists more if the characters were more developed.

All of the characters seemed to be too flat and more like archetypes than actual human beings. Because they were too one dimensional, I found myself quite bored with what seemed like a perfect classic of a whodunnit.

However, my favorite parts of the book were those twists because I thought they were beginning to show a different side of a character. Not to mention, they advanced the plot quite quickly.

My favorite character in all of this had to have been Mimi. She knew Kat, Liv, and Sienna were all crazy from the get-go and kept a safe distance away. She's also the only character I really had any sympathy for because she knew everyone involved (yes, including the murder victims).

Overall, I thought I would like this book but was somewhat disappointed by the lack of character development. The characters were the biggest flaw of the book, but everything else was great: the atmosphere, the plot, the big reveals. I only wish the characters could've fit in more perfectly. For that reason, I'm giving the book a three out of five stars.

If you're a fan of secluded mysteries, cults, and revenge, I highly suggest reading this book.

Liv, an aspiring writer, gets offered a spot in an exclusive writers resort, including the chance to do some networking, meeting other authors and ideally writing. Things aren't what they seem at all though, and they spin out of control pretty fast.. Or do they?

I'll be honest, this was not really for me. I like the idea and I really wanted to like the book, I mean just look at that cover! And the plot, a remote resort, murder, a fun little who did it with all of the suspects being the other guests?! But it just went a route I wasn't the biggest fan of and didn't expect at all. Very clique-y, very mean girls, very peaked in high school and never moved on from that .. and - my least favourite part - very "10 steps ahead, I'm always 10 steps ahead of you"-esque. I love a battle of wits with everyone always trying to stay ahead of the pack and you're getting to piece together how they did it later but paired with the cliques and high school acting, it just didn't give me that.

I liked the writing style in the beginning, it really drew me into the story. There's something about it that just keeps you interested, you want to keep going, it's all very intriguing, the mystery is set up so well because you're just getting random snippets without actually getting too much of anything. The pacing was well done, throughout the whole book, there's revelations, twists and turns and it's gripping for the reader.. But it doesn't make sense for the characters, which really took me out of the story. If you knew the things you'll claim to have known for ages in 5 pages, why are you so shocked and nervous now? Why is whatever is going on "really bad" when you had the whole thing figured out anyway and were never in any actual danger?

Overall an okay book, I liked the obsession theme but I just didn't love the route the story took.

Thank you Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is one of the best thrillers I have read this month. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It has cults, MLMs, an exclusive writer's retreat, and mean girls. Seriously what more could you ask for. There is so much going on between the current timeline and the flashbacks that it was really hard to figure out exactly where they story was going. I love a thriller that I can figure out 10 chapters in. There were a few things that were a little annoying. One of which was the number of times the word "growled" was used when referring to how someone was talking to someone else. It was enough that I made a note of it and noticed it every time. I also think that the story might have gone on a little too long once the "ending" was reached. But those are really nitpicky things.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

DNF at 38%. I was hopeful, but unfortunately I couldn’t get into this book. Eye-catching cover and intriguing premise but just didn’t deliver. The story of an aspiring author, hoping for her big break of getting published, but mean-girls from her past seek to sabotage her aspiring career. Multiple timelines and POV that made the story a bit confusing. The dialogue was juvenile and sometimes cringy. All just unrealistic and over the top. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.